Category: Alaethia

Wed., Apr. 29th – I’d been anticipating the coming of April 29th probably even more than my birthday. On April 29th the Peñitas Walmart finally opened, which meant no more 30 minute trips to Sharyland for groceries or other necessities! It meant being able to go and buy milk, bread or any other things you may realize you need late at night. It meant faster trips and less headaches!

John and I’d made a date to go to the Grand Opening at 11:00am. Mom stayed with the girls while we went. (I can’t remember if I took Emily that morning or not.) There wasn’t much going on, so I figured we either missed everything or the events weren’t scheduled till later. We saw a few characters, like Elmo and Cookie Monster, the Twinkie guy, Hygeia Milk guy LOL, and a few others I can’t remember. We walked around, memorizing the new layout, trying out samples (we practically ate lunch there LOL) and of course, buying just a few things. They made a big ol’ deal about how this new Walmart was going to be a more “Hispanic” Walmart, which stirred up a bit of controversy of course, but the only big “Hispanic” difference was the new treat shop called “Flor de Michoacan”. They were supposedly going to be shipping Mexican products over here and selling them to keep business here instead of having people travel to Mexico, but I didn’t see any different products other than the few things in the “Latino” section LOL. It’s much brighter than the other Walmarts I’ve seen, the isles are much spacier, there’s an arcade (not that I’d let the boys wander off on their own), and the layout’s much more convenient. All toiletries, groceries, and cosmetics are on one side, while electronics, toys and housewares are on the other side. I really like it.

John and I went home and when I picked the kids up from school Mom, all the kids and I made another trip to Walmart so they could all check it out. All the festivities were over by the time we took the kids, which sucked. The only character the kids got to see was Chester Cheetah, and Alaethia was terrified of him. She screamed, “No! That’s not the Cheeto kitty!” when I was coaxing her to calm down.

Some NBA star was going to show up to sign autographs and a band was setting up outside, but we were all tired and the boys were getting antsy. So we just went home.

When Mario got home we made another trip to Home Depot to get a few more odds and ends for the living room, like the door knobs and deadbolts. We tried looking for Germ-X and masks, but like Walmart, they were completely sold out, too. Everyone was truly panicking over the swine flu.

We got home and I spent time with the girlies while searching for Re-ment stuff on Ebay. Ever since I saw Rachel’s Re-ment pics on Flickr, I became somewhat obsessed LOL. I’d ordered the Merry Strawberry Fondue set and once I had it in my hands it was all downhill. I want them ALL!

Mario and I chilled out on the patio waiting for Jason. We kept debating whether we should buy a mallet and a hand saw since Mario was having a difficult time installing the laminate wood floors without them the night before. Mario spoke to Jason, who just so happened to be at Walmart and he was picking up a saw for us. Adan, Aide and Belle came over and lent us their rubber mallet and Mario and I got started on the floors. We decided that no matter what, we were going to finish that night.

My job, aside from making sure we didn’t have any repeating wood-grain patterns, was to figure out how to lay the actual planks. Mario was the muscle who installed them. It took me a while, but my math skills finally kicked in and I figured out how to lay the planks without cutting too much and wasting the wood. In some rows we didn’t even have to cut anything away. I’m a genius!

We started around 10:00pm and finished around 2am. Mom, bless her, stayed watching Emily and Alaethia while we worked. Alaethia, out of nowhere, started sniffling and was moody. She stayed awake till we were done. We went straight to bed when we were done. We were exhausted but it paid off!

Right as I was tucking Alaethia into bed I remembered that I had laundry in the washing machine. I told her I’d be right back as she nodded off into sleep. I tossed the clothes into the dryer as quickly as possible because I had this weird feeling; a bad feeling. I ran inside and into my room and found poor Alaethia covered in vomit. I was thinking the worst: was this the dreaded swine flu? I wrapped up her sheets and placed a towel on her bed and the trash can next to it. I gave her a quick bath and I washed my hands and Lysoled everything. Just as I was wondering what the heck could have caused her to get sick, she started heaving again. I didn’t know what to do; she was so scared that she was swallowing desperately, trying not to throw up again. I couldn’t help but feel nauseous myself. I didn’t sleep very much that night worrying about her. She woke up two more times after that.

Thurs., Apr. 30th – Mario and I celebrated our 12-year “All Together Anniversary”. I couldn’t believe it’d been 12 years since that day he’d tried tricking me into telling him I liked him and he called me and asked, “Can I have a crush on you?” I still get all tingly thinking about it after all these years :).

I waited for the boys to get out of school and took Alaethia and Jaylen to the doctor. Alaethia hadn’t developed a fever, so that was good. Jaylen had a lingering cough and I didn’t know if it was allergies or not so I thought it best to take him in. I was so not looking forward to being at the doctor’s office for 3 hours like that last time, but it had to be done. At least I could start reading “Breaking Dawn”. That’s one thing I realized about being at the doctor’s office: that was when I’d actually get ahead in reading, I was there so long LOL.

I read while Jaylen and Alaethia played with the toys. I don’t usually like them to play with the toys there, because tons of other sick kids had been playing with them throughout the day, but I had an arsenal of antibacterial items since the whole Swine Flu thing.

Amazingly, we were only there for 40 minutes. Jaylen just had a slight cough and Alaethia didn’t have any type of flu (or cold or anything for that matter), so that was a big relief. I still wonder why she got sick, though?

Later that evening, Jason came over and I went with him and Mario (while Mom stayed with the girls, Mary had the boys) to the new Walmart. They got beer and munchies and I got some Jack Daniel’s Down Home Punch drinks. They were okay, but not as good as the watermelon ones. I can’t find those darn watermelon ones anywhere!

When we got back, we watched TV and I surfed the web while the girls slept. Then the guys (Mario, Jason, Adan) started playing Call of Duty 4, so that was my cue to go to bed LOL.

Sun., Apr. 26th – Mario and I got up as early as possible (at 8:30) and got ready. I called Mom to watch the girls and Eenan and Mario and I dropped Jaylen off at CFF. We went straight to Walmart to get the red paint for the flatscreen/entertainment wall and then to Home Depot, where we bought more joint compound for the texture on the walls, painting supplies and the taupe paint that’ll go throughout the rest of the living room. I can’t remember what else we bought, but it was, luckily, the last things we’d need to get the living room finished up.

We realized we were cutting it close, so I called my dad-in-law to please pick Jaylen up from CFF. He did and then at 11:30 I gathered the boys and we went to church. Yes. I finally made it to church after, what? A year? Awful, I know.

After church we went home, then I dropped Eenan off at CFF and Mario and his dad were already starting to work on the texture of the walls.

When I came back from picking Eenan up Big Mario had set a chair and table with my laptop on it in front of the windows in the nook. I. Loved. It. I could sit there and watch the kids playing on the deck! There was a nice breeze and I sat with Emily on my lap watching Alaethia blowing bubbles. It was the best.

Everything went so quickly! By the time I knew it, the texture was dry so I changed and helped Mario primer the walls. We ate lunch and then Mario went to take a nap. Jorge called about an hour & 1/2 into his nap and told us the Lumber Liquidators place, where he got his laminate hardwood floors, was having a huge sale. Mario got up in a flash and, all paint-spackled as we were, went to the place.

I couldn’t decide what color of laminate wood I liked and then we saw the perfect one. It took some doing, but the guy gave us a really good price! We had to buy 10 boxes; he gave us 5 for $1/sq. ft. and then the other 5 boxes he charged at $2.19/sq. ft. The original price was $2.79–we got a steal!

When we got back home I had the dreaded task of helping Eenan finish his castle model project. I don’t know why I say I “helped” him…I mostly did the darn thing on my own since I didn’t want him to burn his flesh off with the glue gun. We got all the walls glued in and then he had the task of painting it gray. We needed to get a brick pattern going on, so I cut a little square out of one of my new dish sponges and I had him blot the square into black paint and onto the walls in a brick pattern. It ended up looking really awesome. He had to get into bed at 9:30, but I stayed up finishing the details till midnight. I am SO GLAD that I’m not working anymore!

Mon., Apr. 27th – John invited me to Kumori so of course I said yes and got ready. Mom and Alaethia stayed at home happily watching Noggin while Emily went with John and me. I had my Fiesta roll and ordered an Omega roll for Mario and took it to him at work. I didn’t get to chat with him long since we were rushing to get everything done and pick up the boys on time.

We stopped by Walmart and one of the first things I did was pick out the nook wall color. Mario wanted cocoa brown, but all they had were reddish-brown colors. Still I ended up finding one I liked:

Since Mario wanted cocoa brown I got the Hershey’s syrup I already had in the cart and matched it up to the last one, Sienna Redwood LOL.

It took a while longer to shop around since they’re remodeling the store. I’m assuming it’s going to look a lot like the new one in Penitas. It was hard to find some stuff. Still, I finished up with the shopping and was thrilled that I stayed within my budget!

Emily woke up and started grunting for her bottle as I was paying. She usually does that. I tried fumbling for my wallet and making her bottle until I made John take over. At least she didn’t scream her head off like the last time!

We got home and I unloaded the car, put the perishables away and went off to get the boys. As I was sitting with them watching TV I started feeling a little more and more nervous about the swine flu. Everyone was panicking. I couldn’t even find little bottles of Germ-X at the check-out and I think two cases had already been confirmed in Starr County. Or was it Cameron. Either way, both counties are in the Valley and that was just too close for comfort.

I ripped myself away from CNN so that I could start cooking. I stuck Emily in her sling and cooked and did laundry just fine. My back was hurting a bit by the time I was done, so I handed her over to Mom and washed dishes.

John came over before I was even done with dishes to print a report at Mary’s. Dork kept talking in a Forrest Gump voice and telling me, “Hurry up…Jannay,” because my middle name’s Jannet and he thought it was hilarious. So I started calling him John-nay LOL.

I was running all over the place doing stuff for the kids and Mario and I finally, 3 hours after I made dinner, got to sit down to eat.

I chilled out watching TV and surfing the ‘net that evening with the girls. Mario was off somewhere, probably outside with Adan or at Adan’s. Alaethia came up to me and asked me for milk. When I said she could have some and got up to pour her some she said, “Thanks. You’re a super good friend, Mom.” She says the cutest things, that girl!

Tues., Apr. 28th – Mario was off that day. We woke up late, as usual and Mom was already chilling out outside. She offered to watch the girls since we needed to go to Home Depot, yet again.

First we stopped at WB though, since we hadn’t eaten breakfast or lunch. I ordered a WB Jr. with bacon and cheese. I couldn’t eat in peace since the darn bacon smelled weird. Mario said it smelled fine. I pulled most of it out and prayed that I wouldn’t get sick with food poisoning.

When we were on our way to Home Depot I texted John to ask him WTF was up with the stinky bacon at his workplace. All he texted back was: “I tell you not to eat there” LOL

We got to Home Depot and went straight to the lamps and lighting. We needed a nice lamp for the nook area and we found the perfect one. It was actually two of them for $14.87!

We looked around and I fell in love with the bathroom lights I want to install when we re-do the bathroom…again.

We got the rest of the stuff we needed, mostly painting supplies, and went home. I picked the boys up and Mario stayed behind installing all the outlet covers and so on.

Emily had woken up with a little bit of congestion that morning out of nowhere. By the afternoon the cold was progressively worse so I decided to take her in to the doctor before she really couldn’t breathe well at night.

As I’m driving into the parking lot I think, “Shit!” I don’t ever think I’d seen the parking lot that full of cars, and I’ve gone to the doctor when it’s packed. I was lucky to get the last parking space. I walk in and my friend Elisa’s at reception. She puts her hand on her hip and says, “You’re not here because of Swine Flu, are you?” I laugh and tell her no, that Emily just has a cold, no fever. It hits me; no wonder the doctor’s office was packed! Everyone there thought they had swine flu!!

I had Emily in her car seat and the car seat on my lap since there wasn’t any space on the bench I was sitting on to set it down. As heavy as it was, there was no way I was going to put the car seat with her on the floor because there were kids running around everywhere. This woman next to me, with three little girls, kept telling her (mucusy) kids to look at the baby. So of course they began putting their hands into the car seat to touch her. I almost hissed and told them to back off because she was sick, because apparently none of them thought that they were. When I’d finally had enough I texted Mario to please bring me Emily’s sling. I hadn’t brought it with me because it had been in the dryer. He brought it to me and helped me lug all my bags and the car seat to the car and helped me with Emily while I got her in the sling. I couldn’t thank him enough. I’d only taken out the most important things from my bag, left it in the car and only took Emily in the sling, her diaper bag and my book. Much better. And you can bet the kids didn’t try sticking their hands in the sling!

It was the longest wait ever. I even finished Eclipse while I was there! Emily was the very last patient, even though I was 4th to the last to sign in. Apparently the 3 people behind me had kids with fevers so they were taking them in first. We didn’t end up leaving the office till 6:20. They close at 5:30!

Mario had painted the nook wall with the brown color while we were gone. Although it wasn’t the paint we’d originally envisioned for that space, it came out looking pretty sweet.

Mario tried rounding up some of his friends to start installing the wood floors, but of course that didn’t happen. It makes my blood boil. Mario is always going above and beyond for his friends when they need help with stuff, no matter what it is, but when he needs something, are they there? That’s a big NO. He hates it when someone calls him up asking for help and I start bitching that he shouldn’t help them because of this or that. I hate being so mean and cynical, but I already know how some of his “friends” are after all these years. That’s just how Mario is, though. He’s nice. He wants to be there for people. I just wish some people would feel the same way about him!

The only person who did show up was Chris. He helped Mario install a part of the floor, about 3 rows since it was really late. Somehow–even though Mario works 10-12 hour days–we were going to finish up that floor that week.

Sun., Apr. 19th – I stayed up till 1:30am updating my iPod and music. I finally got brave enough to download music again and deleted tons of other music that didn’t belong to me. I still have to go through my external hard drive and sort through a whole other folder I found, that was mostly a duplicate of my main music folder.

We chilled out in the shade in the afternoon while Mario and Big Mario mixed the cement to level the floors in the new living room.

I can’t wait to see how the floors are going to turn out. I’m curious to see what happens to that tree stump and I have no idea what we’re going to do about that weird incline and funky step of cement. We’re probably going to end up using ceramic tile in that area for sure.

It was quite traumatizing for Alaethia when Mario had shoveled up some sand, mixed it with the cement and water and started chopping it up to break down the big chunks…and unearthed a floppy little mangled frog. Mario tossed it aside after saying, “Oops,” and she’s been terrified of them ever since. I know we shouldn’t because she’s going to end up scared of them forever, but we use it as a way to keep her from going where she shouldn’t. For example, if she’s trying to go outside when no one’s out there we’ll say, “Don’t go out there! There’s a frog out there!” We’re bad, I know.

Adan, Aide and Belle came over and we decided to bar-b-q for dinner, their treat this time. They went to the meat market with Belle and Alaethia and I had the opportunity to clean up a bit. Then Mario made me a Michelada that was SO GOOD. He even diced up pickles and sprinkled Tajin over them, just like at that drive-thru place where we buy the $5 Micheladas. We sat out there with my dad-in-law and Mom and Mary. Mary got home from shopping and we all went in to eat some chili enchiladas she’d made.

Adan, Aide and the girls got here and we sat outside almost all day just chatting. Jorge, Jose and Elda came over later. I had an intermission of about an hour or 2 because Eenan and I really needed to start his Castle in the Attic project. It really annoys me when they make the kids do those projects, because it’s really not the kids doing it. How do they expect them to handle hot glue and dangerous stuff like that?

I was annoyed trying to figure out the “floor plan” of the castle and only got to draw out the top and bottom floors and cut the cardboard (from a pack of Alaethia’s diapers LOL) for the top floor. I could tell the rest of the castle was going to be a huge headache.

I went back outside to chill with everyone and Mario was on his way in; it was 7pm and he was going to bed. WHAT? That’s what happens when he drinks since noon.

The boys were in bed for school the next day so it was just the girls and me. They were wired at 11pm and I was exhausted and had an awful sinus headache. I tried busying myself by taking pictures of Emily:

And watching Step Up 2, which is pretty darn cheesy but I love watching dance movies like that because I wish I had that type of coordination O_o. I have two left feet.

Mario woke up around that time and watched some of the movie with me. Alaethia played in her room:

…and watched some Care Bear DVDs until she finally showed signs of sleep (yawning) so we came to bed. There’s so much I want to do decoration-wise with their bedroom. But again, it’ll have to wait till we finish our current home improvement project.

Mon., Apr. 20th – It was Mario’s first day back at his (old) job LOL. I got up like a good wifey and made him breakfast. I feel guilty when I don’t make him breakfast. Once he left I went back to bed with Emily and she actually let me sleep! I woke up around 10:30 and had my coffee. John came over shortly after and asked if I wanted to go to Kumori. Um, when don’t I? So I got showered and dressed, got Emily ready and we were off. Mom and Alaethia stayed home watching Noggin.

They were taking forever and we were in a hurry. We were already cutting it close leaving at 1pm because I had to pick up the boys. But the food came and we ate in a hurry and got here just in time.

I had the biggest headache at home, but it wasn’t caused by the kids. My darn sinuses were acting up really bad again, and I’m not even pregnant! I hate taking medication but I felt so awful I gave in and took some sinus medicine. I felt better in about a half hour and started getting housework done while Emily slept. I snuggled with the girlies on the sofa afterward and waited for Mario to get home.

Tues., Apr. 21st – I stayed up after Mario left to work and cleaned. It seems like no matter how much time I spend cleaning it’s just not enough.

My wrist started really bothering me that day so I gave in and went to the doctor’s office. I was hoping it was just still swollen from getting drained a few weeks before, but I knew that wasn’t true. The darn cyst had come back and was the exact same size as it was before the drainage. I had to go all the way to Mission and felt uneasy leaving Emily behind with Mom because Mom couldn’t get her to stop screaming. I kept calling to check on them and when Mary got home from work she took over.

I was referred to an orthopedic specialist but I didn’t want to go. They’d have to surgically remove the cyst and after everything I went through with the only other surgery I’ve ever had in my life–the Tubal Ligation–I said no way. Recovery time would be 5-6 weeks of not using the wrist and I have an infant so there’s no way that was going to happen.

I weighed myself and was horrified to find I’d gained 3 pounds! I weigh 130 now…the most I’ve ever weighed while NOT pregnant. I don’t even know where to start. I know I eat junk food, but not excessively, and I don’t eat excessively, either. It’s just that I’m sedentary most of the time now, because I sit around with Emily when I’m not trying to clean the house. I really want a treadmill!

I went to Mario’s work to drop off his belt. And then came home and chilled out at Mary’s with the kids. Mario was going to pick up burgers (like I needed that but it was late and I didn’t have time to make dinner), so I made an oath to myself that it would be the last night I had an unhealthy meal. Yeah, right.

Wed., Apr. 22nd -I had to wake up early to get myself and the girls ready to go to Alaethia’s cardiologist appointment. I was praying that I’d be okay with both girls. My biggest fear is that the office was far and that Emily would wake up during the trip and cry all the way there if she got hungry.

Mario helped me get the girls in the car before he left to work. He set the address on his Garmin and suctioned it to my windshield. I kept telling him not to bother, but I’m glad he insisted. As I was driving and following the GPS’s directions I realized I was going to go the completely opposite side of town!

I called to let them know I was going to get there late. Her appointment was for 9am. They allowed me 15 minutes to be late, but no more. I wasn’t worried; Garmin was helping me get there just fine. Until I look up and see the little racing flags declaring that I’m at my destination. But I so wasn’t. I was supposed to be at 5600 and I was at 48. It took me an additional 8 minutes to call and locate the actual plaza the office was at. I flung my bag and diaper bag on my shoulder and ran with Alaethia holding one hand and the super heavy car seat with sleeping Emily in it in the other. I felt so stupid for forgetting my sling that day; I would have had much less stuff to carry and my hands free for Alaethia. By the time I got to reception it was 9:13. I made it with two minutes to spare!

I was so bored. We were there for 2 1/2 hours or more…and I’d forgotten my book. I had to keep an eye on Alaethia, though, so maybe it was a good thing I did forget it. She did very well for the most part. She became a little antsy but what 2-year-old wouldn’t having to wait for 2 hours straight?

She was very cooperative during the vitals check. Didn’t even move an inch when they put all those sticky plugs on her to check her heart. The nurse commented on how articulate she is and asked when she started talking because her own 2-year-old wasn’t speaking very well yet. I told her about 7 months, and she hasn’t stopped LOL.

Emily slept most of the time and only woke up to get fed and for a diaper change. And then Alaethia needed a diaper change, too, at the same time LOL. So there I am, in the tiny bathroom that thankfully had a changing table with both girls and a huge car seat. I had to make sure that Alaethia wasn’t touching anything (she has a thing for toilets) while I was changing Emily.

When the specialist finally saw her he was amazed by how cooperative she was. She did everything he told her to do without fussing. He also commented on how well she speaks. We got the great news that her heart murmur is fine; she doesn’t have another appointment for 3 years, just to follow-up :).

I called Mario since it was 12:30; a half hour before he went to lunch. I texted and asked if he wanted us to pick him up and he said yes, of course. So we had a little lunch at Taco Bell. That’s one thing I love about him being back at his old job: I’ll get to have lunch with him on Saturdays again!

The girls were great again. Alaethia ate a little; I’d packed cantaloupe and a sippy of milk for her for breakfast on the way to the appointment and she’d eaten almost the whole ziploc of it.

I got home and tidied up a bit, then laughed at John and his craziness when he came over. Now that he gets our wireless signal at his house again he finds no reason to just come over and visit his sister. Rude. He’s also planning to move out. Who the heck else is going to make me laugh when Mario’s not home?!

I took a nap with the girls after I picked the boys up from school and they did their homework. The boys were excellent; they tip-toed and whispered the whole time so we got to nap for an hour. I have never woken up that refreshed from a nap, ever!

I stuck Emily in her sling when I got up and got dinner on the table and dishes washed with no problem. That sling really is a lifesaver!

Mario got home and ate and we went to Jorge and Maggie’s right after. Us girls mostly chilled out inside surfing Myspace, watching trailers, and watching videos on YouTube. Javi and Mario came in at one point and watched some strange video with us when Javi brought me some Hot Cheetoes with cheese. I still have no idea what it was about LOL. We came home right after that and went straight to bed.

I love being a stay-at-home-mom again. Mario and I are much happier again…because we get to spend time together! I never want to get back to where we were last February.